We spoke with the principal dentist, clinical staff, receptionists and the practice manager. We spoke with four patients who told us they were satisfied with the quality of care provided. One person told us, “I think the dentist is very good. They explain everything.”

Patients told us they felt the practice treated them with respect and ensured they had sufficient information to make decisions regarding their treatment. Patients received written information regarding their treatment options and the costs involved.

People's medical and dental health needs were accurately documented and updated at each visit. Medical equipment and drugs were monitored to ensure they were in date and ready to use, in case of medical emergencies.

We toured the practice and found it was clean and free of clutter. Staff followed infection control procedures when carrying out treatments. Dental instruments were decontaminated in line with the Department of Health standards.

Staff told us they felt supported by management. We saw staff were appraised annually and attended regular team meetings. Clinical staff had up to date registration with the General Dental Council and received professional development.

Patients we spoke with were happy with the care provided and no complaints had been raised in 2013. The practice’s complaints procedure was clearly displayed and a comments box was available for patients.

We carried out this announced inspection on 25 September 2017 under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions.

We planned the inspection to check whether the registered provider was meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations.

The inspection was led by a CQC inspector who was supported by a specialist dental adviser.

To get to the heart of patients’ experiences of care and treatment, we always ask the following five questions:

• Is it safe?

• Is it effective?

• Is it caring?

• Is it responsive to people’s needs?

• Is it well-led?

These questions form the framework for the areas we look at during the inspection.

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Orchard Dental Practice is in Maidenhead town centre and provides NHS and private treatment to patients of all ages.

There is level access for people who use wheelchairs and those with pushchairs. Parking is available near the practice on the street and in a multi-storey car park.

The dental team includes the practice manager, four dentists, one specialist orthodontist, one oral surgeon, five dental nurses, two dental hygienists, and five receptionists. The practice has five treatment rooms.

The practice is owned by a limited company and as a condition of registration must have a person registered with the Care Quality Commission as the registered manager.

The registered manager at Orchard Dental Practice is the principal dentist.

On the day of inspection we collected 17 CQC comment cards filled in by patients and obtained the views of 14 other patients. This information gave us a positive view of the practice.

The practice is open 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4.30pm on Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday.

Our key findings were:

• The practice appeared clean and well maintained.
• The practice had infection control procedures which reflected published guidance.
• Staff knew how to deal with emergencies. Appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were available.
• The practice had suitable safeguarding processes and staff knew their responsibilities for safeguarding adults and children.
• The clinical staff provided patients’ care and treatment in line with current guidelines.
• Staff treated patients with dignity and respect and took care to protect their privacy and personal information.
• The appointment system met patients’ needs.
• The practice had effective leadership. Staff felt involved and supported and worked well as a team.
• The practice asked staff and patients for feedback about the services they provided.
• The practice had a procedure in place to deal with complaints.